Back exercising and massaging device



Dec. 4, 1951 J. c. JOHNSTON ET AL 2,577,129

I BACK EXERCISING AND MASSAGING DEVICE Filed Dec. 30, 1949 A 7'TOENE Y Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Jared C. Johnston and George Philip Schmitt, New York, N. Y.

Application December 30, 1949, Serial No. 135,953

9 Claims. (01. 128-57) This invention relates to massaging or reducing devices, and more particularly to a device for massaging a person's back.

An object of this invention is to provide a massaging device for massaging a person's back so constructed as to permit operation of the device by the person being treated. I

Another object of this invention is to provide a back massaging device manipulated by the person being massaged and applying a rolling varying pressure to selected areas of the back.

A further object of this invention is to provide a resilient roller engageable under'the back of a person in a supine position and supported within a frame constructed so that rocking of the frame will apply a rolling pressure to areas of the back and so that the device will creep upwardly along the back during successive rocking of the frame.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a resilient massaging roller engageable under the back of a person in a supine position and supported in a frame constructed so that rocking of the frame in one direction will raise the roller for applying a rolling pressure to the back, particularly the spinal column, and so that successive rocking of the frame will effect a creeping movement towards the upper portion of the back to thereby massage the entire back.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a back massaging device operable by the person being treated, by an attendant, or by some motive power other than human manipulation.-

Finally, an object of this invention is to provide a massaging device of the character described which is simple and sturdy in construction, and easily operated to thereby permit its widest possible use.

With the above, and other objects, features, and advantages, as will hereinafter appear as the description proceeds, in-view, this invention resides in the combination, arrangement, and details of construction disclosed in the specification taken with the drawing, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout, w 4

Figure 1 is a rear elevational viewof a massa reduced diameter extending through the bores 2 ing device constructed according to this invention, I

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front view of a modified roller for a massaging device according to this invention, I

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front view of another modification of a roller for the device according to this invention,

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the mes saging device in use and showing one step in its operation,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showin another step in the operation of the device, and

Figure 'l is a detail sectional view of a portion of the device Where the roller connects with a shaft.

Referring to the drawing, and initially to Figures 1 and 2 thereof, a preferred embodiment of a massaging device constructed according to this invention is there illustrated and generally indicated by the reference numeral Ill. The massaging device includes a pair of side frame members II and I2. Each of the side frame members II and I2 is formed of a resilient metal rod or. the like having a slightly curved upright or standard portion I3 and I4, respectively. An elongated handle I5 extends between the top ends of the uprights I3 and I 4. The handle is shown formed with end portions I6 and ll of I8 and I9 formed in the ball-shaped members 20 and 2 I, respectively, fixed to the top ends of the uprights I3 and IE. Set screws 22 and 23 extend into the members 20 and 2| for clamping the respective ends I6 and I! of the handle I5. Coiled resilient members 24 and 25 are formed on the lower ends of the uprights I3 and I4, and the free ends of the coiled members are. bent inwardly to provide stub shafts 26 and 21, respectively, for supporting a massaging roller in a manner hereinafter described. As seen in Figure 2, the stub shafts 26 and 21 extend from a point on the coiled member substantially diametrically opposed to the points at which the respective uprights'l3 and I I are tangential thereto.

A resilient roller, generally indicated by the reference numeral 28, includes an elongated tubulanshaft 29 open at the opposite ends for re calving the stub shafts '26 and 21 therein. Set screws 30 and 3t extend through the opposite end portions of the shaft 29 for clamping the shaft 29 in groove 26a (Fig. '7) to the stub shafts 26 and 21 of the opposite frame members. Set screw 30 (and similarly 3|) has the threaded shank 30a and shoulder 301). A plurality of longitudinally spaced apart resilient disc members 32 are rotatably disposed upon the shaft 29 and have the spacers, or washers 33, interposed between successive disc members for retaining the latter in spaced apart relationship. The discs 32 may be formed of any resilient material, such :as, sponge "rubber, either natural or synthetic, or other materials having similar characteristics.

In Figure 3, a modification of the roller is illustrated and indicated by the numeral 18A. The roller 28A includes a similar tubular open ended fixed shaft 29A having set screws 30A (and 31A at the other end, which is not shown) for securing the roller to the side frame members. An elongated cylindrical soft resilient body 34; formed of sponge rubber or other similar material, is rotatably mounted on the shaft 29A.

In Figure 4, still another modification of the roller, referred to 'by the numeral 28B, is there shown. The roller 283 includes the usual tubular shaft 293 having securing set screws 31B for attachment to the stub shafts 26 and 21, and an elongated cylindrical soft resilient body 35, formed of sponge rubber, or the like, andhaving longitudinally and circumferentiallyspaced apart projections 36 extending from the surface thereof In the use andoperation of the massaging device constructed according to this invention, the

operation being the same 'for the several types of rollers employed, the person to be massaged lies down in a supine or flat position with the roller '28 positioned under the small or lower 'portion of his back '33 and the handle 15 disposed above his abdomen or thorax. The massaging device is so disposed initially that the uprights -13 and M raise from the sides of the coils '24 and 25 disposed closest to the head of the person. That is, the roller 28 will be disposed towards the feet of the operator, and in contact with the relatively hard surface "S upon which the person lies, as "illustrated in -Figure S. The person may "thenreach up and grasp the handle I5, :andpull the handle towards his head, thereby rocking'the device on the lower curved portions of the coil members 24 and '25. Such rocking of the massaging device It), will raise 'theroller 28 as shown Figure '6, for applying a rolling pressure to the back of the person, particularly the spinal column. The pull on the handle 15' is then reland, and the roller '28 'will then descend into contact with the surface S. Successive rocking of the massaging device, 'by alternately pulling on the handle l5 thereof, and releasing such pull, will result in the gradual creeping of the roller and the side frames in the-direction *of the pulling force, so that substantially the "entire area of the "back will be massaged. Such creeping occurs during both the pulling "and relaxing phases of the operation of the device. When a pulling force is exerted on the handle 15, the roller will engage the back for rolling therealong, and the bottom surfaces of the coiled members 24 and 25 engaging the relatively hard surface S will 'slip 'a short distance on that hardsurface in the di rection of the force. When the pull-on the hand le [5 is relaxed, the resistance to rolling between the back B and the softresilient roller 18 will be greater than the resistance "to slipping between the bottom of the coiled menibers 24 and and the relatively hard surface S which the latter engage. Therefore, the roller will maintain substantially its position relative to the body, and will descend in a vertical line to the surface S, with the coil members 24 and 25 slipping relative to that surface. The roller 28, by applying an intermittent rolling pressure, or kneading effect, will substantially simulate the action of a skilled masseur, and the beneficial results of such massage will be obtained.

While the operation of the device has been described'with the person being massaged manipulating or rocking the device lilyit is readily apparent, that someone other than the person be- "lng massaged could effect the rocking of the device, -It-is also anticipated that the rocking of the device could be effected by connection to a reciprocating linkage driven by other than human .r'nanipulation'.

While specific embodiments of this invention have been disclosed and described, it is understood that modifications and changes in the construction thereof may be resorted to without departing from the scope of this invention. It is therefore desired that the invention .be accorded a scope'commensurate with theadvance achieved in the art, which scope is defined by'theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A massaging device comprising .a pairof Opposite side frames, each of said 'side frames terminating at the lower end :in .a coiled portion, a handle secured between :the .top ends of said side frames, anda resilientroller carried between said coiled portions .and adapted be raised when said side frames are-rocked in one direction on said coiled portions for :applying a .rolling pressure -to the back of a person ilying upon said roller.

.2. A massaging device according to claim ,1, wherein said roller includes a fixed shaftsecured to said coiled portions, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart resilient discs rotatably carried by said'shaft.

:3. .A imassaging device according to .claiml, wherein said roller includes a t-fixed shaftsecu-red at the opposite "ends thereof "to said coiled por tions, and a resilient elongated cylindrical body 'rotatably'carr'ied' by'saidshaft. 1

4. A massaging device according :to "claim 1 wherein said'roller includes a fixed shaft secured at the opposite ends thereof "to said coiled portions, and a resilient elongated body rotatably carried by said shaft and formedwith longitudinally and circumferentially spaced apart projections extending ffromthe surface thereof.

'5. A massaging device comprising a pair of resilientside frame members each formed with a coiled lower portion, a handle member'having the opposite .ends thereof secured to the tops of said side. frame members, .an inwardly extending stub shaft formed on the end of each ofIsaid coiled ,portions and offset-relative to said top ends of said side .frames, and a sresilient roller having the: opposite ends secured to said .stub shafts whereby :saidroller will be raised for applying a rolling pressure fto-the back of a person lying thereon. when said :side frame members ,are rocked in one direction ion said coiled portions.

.6. Alma'ssaging device according 1130 claim 5, wherein said :rolle'r includes a plurality of lon= gitudinally spaced apart rotatable resilient discs.

-7. :A massaging device according ito claim 5,

plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially v .1

spaced apart projections extending from the suriace thereof.

9. A massaging device comprising a pair of opposite side frames, each of said side frames t terminating at the lower end in a coiled portion,

and a resilient roller carried between said coiled portions and adapted to be raised when said side frames are rocked in one direction on said coiled portions for applying a rolling pressure to the.

back of a person lying upon said roller.

JARED C. JOHNSTON. GEORGE PHILIP SCHMITT.

, 6 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 718,594 Bailey Jan. 20, 1903 1,265,083 Hoard May 7, 1918 1,630,149 Wahrt May 24, 1927 2,258,931 Heer Oct. 14, 1941 

